Received the Distinguished Unit Citation, Distinguished Service Cross and the Purple Heart - Action Date: 1 Aug 1943
Synopsis of Distinguished Service Cross citation: Staff Sergeant Edmond H. Smith, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Gunner on a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 564th Bombardment Squadron, 389th Bombardment Group (H), NINTH Air Force (Attached), while participating in a bombing mission on 1 August 1943, against the Ploesti Oil Refineries in Rumania. During a long and hazardous attack against a vital enemy oil installation made at low-altitude by a formation of B-24 type aircraft, Staff Sergeant Smith acquitted himself with great skill as his aircraft flew through one of the most heavily defended areas of Europe. When the plane on which he served was severely damaged, and, despite the fact that gasoline was streaming from one of its damaged fuel tanks, continued on, in the face of almost insurmountable odds. Over the blazing target, Staff Sergeant Smith, with heroic calm and unflinching loyalty, remained steadfast by his guns. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant Smith on this occasion, even when confronted with practically certain destruction, exemplified the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
Headquarters: Ninth U.S. Army Air Force, General Orders No. 89 (1943)
Visit the virtual cemetery of the "Ole Kickapoo" Crew, 564th Bomb Squadron. Crashed 3 miles SW of Campina, Romania in the Prahova River.
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Son of Minnie and Walter Smith.
Synopsis of Distinguished Service Cross citation: Staff Sergeant Edmond H. Smith, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Gunner on a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 564th Bombardment Squadron, 389th Bombardment Group (H), NINTH Air Force (Attached), while participating in a bombing mission on 1 August 1943, against the Ploesti Oil Refineries in Rumania. During a long and hazardous attack against a vital enemy oil installation made at low-altitude by a formation of B-24 type aircraft, Staff Sergeant Smith acquitted himself with great skill as his aircraft flew through one of the most heavily defended areas of Europe. When the plane on which he served was severely damaged, and, despite the fact that gasoline was streaming from one of its damaged fuel tanks, continued on, in the face of almost insurmountable odds. Over the blazing target, Staff Sergeant Smith, with heroic calm and unflinching loyalty, remained steadfast by his guns. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant Smith on this occasion, even when confronted with practically certain destruction, exemplified the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
Headquarters: Ninth U.S. Army Air Force, General Orders No. 89 (1943)
Visit the virtual cemetery of the "Ole Kickapoo" Crew, 564th Bomb Squadron. Crashed 3 miles SW of Campina, Romania in the Prahova River.
--------------------------
Son of Minnie and Walter Smith.
Received the Distinguished Unit Citation, Distinguished Service Cross and the Purple Heart - Action Date: 1 Aug 1943
Synopsis of Distinguished Service Cross citation: Staff Sergeant Edmond H. Smith, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Gunner on a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 564th Bombardment Squadron, 389th Bombardment Group (H), NINTH Air Force (Attached), while participating in a bombing mission on 1 August 1943, against the Ploesti Oil Refineries in Rumania. During a long and hazardous attack against a vital enemy oil installation made at low-altitude by a formation of B-24 type aircraft, Staff Sergeant Smith acquitted himself with great skill as his aircraft flew through one of the most heavily defended areas of Europe. When the plane on which he served was severely damaged, and, despite the fact that gasoline was streaming from one of its damaged fuel tanks, continued on, in the face of almost insurmountable odds. Over the blazing target, Staff Sergeant Smith, with heroic calm and unflinching loyalty, remained steadfast by his guns. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant Smith on this occasion, even when confronted with practically certain destruction, exemplified the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
Headquarters: Ninth U.S. Army Air Force, General Orders No. 89 (1943)
Visit the virtual cemetery of the "Ole Kickapoo" Crew, 564th Bomb Squadron. Crashed 3 miles SW of Campina, Romania in the Prahova River.
--------------------------
Son of Minnie and Walter Smith.
Synopsis of Distinguished Service Cross citation: Staff Sergeant Edmond H. Smith, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Gunner on a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 564th Bombardment Squadron, 389th Bombardment Group (H), NINTH Air Force (Attached), while participating in a bombing mission on 1 August 1943, against the Ploesti Oil Refineries in Rumania. During a long and hazardous attack against a vital enemy oil installation made at low-altitude by a formation of B-24 type aircraft, Staff Sergeant Smith acquitted himself with great skill as his aircraft flew through one of the most heavily defended areas of Europe. When the plane on which he served was severely damaged, and, despite the fact that gasoline was streaming from one of its damaged fuel tanks, continued on, in the face of almost insurmountable odds. Over the blazing target, Staff Sergeant Smith, with heroic calm and unflinching loyalty, remained steadfast by his guns. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant Smith on this occasion, even when confronted with practically certain destruction, exemplified the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
Headquarters: Ninth U.S. Army Air Force, General Orders No. 89 (1943)
Visit the virtual cemetery of the "Ole Kickapoo" Crew, 564th Bomb Squadron. Crashed 3 miles SW of Campina, Romania in the Prahova River.
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Son of Minnie and Walter Smith.
Inscription
Edmond H
Smith Sr
TSgt
US Air Force
World War II
Korea
Vietnam
Jan 22 1919
Mar 18 1988
